Introduction

Brevard County, located on Florida’s Space Coast, offers a variety of nursing home options for seniors. This document provides a comprehensive comparison of these facilities to help families make informed decisions about their loved ones’ care.

Overview of Specific Nursing Homes

1. Sunnyvale Nursing Home (Melbourne)

Sunnyvale Nursing Home is a 120-bed facility known for its excellent memory care unit and rehabilitation services.

Services:

• Assisted Living
• Memory Care
• Short-term Rehabilitation
• Long-term Care

Amenities:

• Spacious private and semi-private rooms
• Beautiful gardens with walking paths
• On-site beauty salon and barber shop
• Library and computer center

Activities:

• Daily exercise classes
• Art therapy sessions
• Weekly music performances
• Gardening club

2. Beachside Care Center (Cocoa Beach)

Beachside Care Center is a 150-bed facility that specializes in post-acute care and rehabilitation services.

Services:

• Skilled Nursing
• Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy
• Wound Care
• Palliative Care

Amenities:

• Oceanview rooms available
• State-of-the-art rehabilitation gym
• Outdoor patio with beach access
• Restaurant-style dining

Activities:

• Beach walks (weather permitting)
• Cooking classes
• Movie nights
• Visiting pet therapy

3. Riverside Acres (Titusville)

Riverside Acres is a 100-bed facility that offers a home-like environment with a focus on personalized care.

Services:

• Assisted Living
• Memory Care
• Respite Care

Amenities:

• Individual garden plots for residents
• Fireside lounge
• Game room with billiards and shuffleboard
• Chapel for spiritual services

Activities:

• Tai Chi classes
• Book club
• Craft workshops
• Community volunteer opportunities

Services Offered

Assisted Living

All three facilities offer assisted living services, which typically include:

• 24/7 staff availability
• Medication management
• Assistance with daily living activities (bathing, dressing, etc.)
• Housekeeping and laundry services
• Transportation to medical appointments

Personal Care Assistance

Personal care assistance is a standard offering at all facilities, usually including:

• Grooming and hygiene support
• Mobility assistance
• Continence care
• Meal assistance

Specialized Care Options

Memory Care

Sunnyvale Nursing Home and Riverside Acres offer specialized memory care units for residents with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. These typically include:

• Secure environments to prevent wandering
• Specially trained staff
• Cognitive stimulation activities
• Personalized care plans

Rehabilitation Services

Beachside Care Center and Sunnyvale Nursing Home provide comprehensive rehabilitation services, including:

• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Speech therapy
• Post-surgery recovery programs

Amenities

Recreational Facilities

• Sunnyvale Nursing Home: Fitness center, library, arts and crafts studio
• Beachside Care Center: Rehabilitation gym, movie theater, game room
• Riverside Acres: Billiards room, chapel, fireside lounge

Dining Options

All facilities offer:

• Restaurant-style dining rooms
• Private dining areas for family gatherings
• Special diet accommodations
• Snack bars or cafes

Beachside Care Center stands out with its oceanview dining room and fresh seafood options.

Outdoor Spaces

• Sunnyvale Nursing Home: Landscaped gardens, walking paths, gazebo
• Beachside Care Center: Beachfront patio, oceanview balconies
• Riverside Acres: Community gardens, nature trail, fish pond

Daily Activities

Social Events

• Holiday celebrations
• Birthday parties
• Music and dance events
• Book clubs and discussion groups

Exercise Programs

• Chair yoga (all facilities)
• Tai Chi (Riverside Acres)
• Water aerobics (Beachside Care Center)
• Gentle stretching classes (all facilities)

Therapeutic Activities

• Art therapy (Sunnyvale Nursing Home, Riverside Acres)
• Music therapy (all facilities)
• Pet therapy (Beachside Care Center, Riverside Acres)
• Reminiscence therapy for memory care residents (Sunnyvale Nursing Home, Riverside Acres)

Testimonials

Sunnyvale Nursing Home:
“The staff at Sunnyvale have been exceptional in caring for my mother. Their memory care unit has given her a new lease on life.” – Sarah J., daughter of a resident

Beachside Care Center:
“Beachside Care Center offers top-notch rehabilitation services. After my hip replacement, their physical therapy team had me back on my feet in no time.” – Robert M., former patient

Riverside Acres:
“We chose Riverside Acres for my father because of their beautiful outdoor spaces. He loves gardening, and their community garden has been a blessing.” – Emily T., daughter of a resident

Pricing and Financial Assistance

Pricing varies depending on the level of care required and the specific facility:

Sunnyvale Nursing Home:

• Assisted Living: $3,800 – $5,200 per month
• Memory Care: $5,500 – $7,500 per month

Beachside Care Center:

• Skilled Nursing: $7,500 – $9,500 per month
• Short-term Rehabilitation: $350 – $450 per day

Riverside Acres:

• Assisted Living: $3,500 – $4,800 per month
• Memory Care: $5,000 – $6,800 per month

Financial assistance options include:

• Long-term care insurance
• Veterans benefits
• Medicaid (for eligible individuals)
• All three facilities offer sliding scale fees based on income

Comparison with Southern Florida Facilities

Services

• Brevard County facilities generally offer similar services to those in Southern Florida.
• Some Southern Florida facilities may have more extensive memory care units due to higher demand.

Amenities

• Southern Florida facilities often have more extensive outdoor amenities due to warmer year-round climate.
• Brevard County facilities, especially Beachside Care Center, offer unique beachfront amenities.

Pricing

• On average, Brevard County facilities tend to be 10-15% less expensive than comparable facilities in Southern Florida, particularly those in Miami-Dade or Palm Beach counties.

Specialized Programs

• Southern Florida facilities may offer more diverse language support and cultural programs due to the region’s higher diversity.
• Brevard County facilities often have strong connections with local space and technology industries, potentially offering unique programs related to these fields.

Conclusion

Brevard County offers a range of nursing home options to suit various needs and preferences. While generally comparable to Southern Florida facilities in terms of services and quality, they often come at a more affordable price point. Each of the highlighted facilities – Sunnyvale Nursing Home, Beachside Care Center, and Riverside Acres – offers unique strengths and specializations. Families should consider visiting multiple facilities, speaking with staff and residents, and carefully reviewing all available options before making a decision.